Hydraulic clutch.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

G. SPARKS.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 3,1906.

6 SHEETSSHEET l PATBNTED' AUG. 28, 1906.

G. SPARKS.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. a, 1506.

B SHEETSSHEET 2.

No. 829,549. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

G. SPARKS. HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.3,1905.

6 SHBBTSSHEET 3.

G. SPARKS.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

APPLIOATION FILED 1m. 1906.

PATENTED' AUG. 28, 1906.

6 SHEETS-4133B! 4,

Illllil Illlllllll I v V H1 N0- 829,54 9. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906. G. SPARKS. HYDRAULIC CLUTCH;

APPLICATION rum JAN.8,1908

s SHEETS-SHEET a Ill.

PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

G. SPARKS. HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1906 6 SHEETS-SHBET 6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE SPARKS, OF FELTHAM, ENGLAND. ASSIGNOR 'lO SPARKS- BOOTH BY HYDRAULIC CLUTCH, LIMITED, 01* LONDON, ENGLAND.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH- Specification of Letters Patent.

I Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Application filed January 3, 1906. Serial No. 294,470.

To all IIY/LO'IJII it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE SPARKS, a sub- 'ect of the King of England, residing at Feltiiam, in the county of Middlcsex, England, have invented a certain new and useful Hydraulic Clutch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic clutches, the object being to provide a clutch suitable for bringing machinery into motion gradually.

According to this invention the hydraulic clutch comprises a casing filled with liquid and forming one cliitch member, another member in the casing and forming therewith an annular chamber when the members are engaged, projections on the members fitting into and dividing the chamber, and means for relatively moving the members axially into and out of engagement.

An important feature of this invention consists in utilizing the pressure generated in the fluid locked between the members to hold the inner member in position, and for this )LIIPOSB a conduit may be led from the annular chamber into the casing to cause the. pressure in the liquid between the members to press the members into engagement.

According to this in'vention a valve may be employed to permit a regulated leak of liquid in the annular chamber and to allow the clutch to slip.

Means are provided for shifting the valve and for moving the members into and out of engagement in such a way that the valve is opened before the clutch is disengaged and c used after the clutch is engaged.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central transverse section of one form of clutch embodying this invention and particularly applicable to a motor-vehicle. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of a detail on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a central transverse section ofa modified form of clutch. Fig. 5 is a part section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a similar section to Fig. 5, showing a modified arrangement of the fixed projection, conduit, and valve, and Fig. 7is a den of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a central transverse section of a modified form of clutch. Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the same mechanism.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

Referring-to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the drivingshaft A carries an outer clutch member B in the form of a casing which is attached to the fly-wheel A, and the casing embraces the driven shaft C, a stuffing-box D being provided between the casing B and the driven shaft C to allow rotation, while retaining within the casing a liquid, such as oil, with which it is completely filled. Mounted on the driven shaft C within the outer member B is an inner sliding member E, which may be moved into or out of contact with the outer member B by any suitable device, such as the usual clutchedal. By means of flanges or steps B am E on the members a closed annular chamber is formed between the members when they are engaged. On the casing B is fixed a projection B which forms a partition in the annular chamber. The inner member E is provided with two radial vanes F, which when driving cooperate with the fixed projection B to lock the liquid in the annular chamber. Springs F exert an outward pull on the vanes.

In order that during the relative motion of the clutch members the sliding vanes F may be momentarilywithdrawn to clear the fixed projection B the vanes are controlled by u cam-gear. A cam G with a projection G on one side is mounted on the driving-shaft A, and the spindle F of each vane terminates in a hook carrying a roller F which engages tool-am- G at il point diametrically opposite to tlzr corresponding vane F, so that as the cam rotates it withdraws the vane F from the annular chamber, so as to clear the fixed projcction B". With such a construction one (rem would serve to operate two vanes; but any other similar gear may be employed. As the inner member F. slides it carries the vanes Fwith it, and as it is essential to continue the operation of withdrawing the vanes the cam G and the rollers F are arranged accordingly. in the, arrangement illustrated the cam G slides upon ii feather G" on the driving-shaft and may be shifted along with the driven shaft C to keep the ram G and the rollers F in the same relative position. Any other suitable arrangement may be uscd-for example, a. long cam may be fixed on the driving-shaft.

To varythe leakage of fluid in the annular chamber and to allow the clutch to slip, a small extension B of the annular chamber is formed in the casimg B and n valve H is'disposed therein and carried on a spindleH, which is attached at its lower end to a short arm IP. The arm H can be turned to open and close the valve by means of a rod H pivoted to the arm H" and to a sliding collar J, which is held between a springd" and a sleeve C, which slides on a feather C on the driven shaft C, a ball-bearing being disposed between the collar and the sleeve. A shoulder or abutment C is attached to the driven shaft, and the sleeve can be shifted backward and forward by means of the usual clutch-pedal or other mechanism, the arrangement )eing such that when the sleeve C slides toward the right-'i. e., to release the clutch the valve H is opened before the sleeve C meets the abutment while when the sleeve- U is moved to the left to put the clutch in the valve H is closed after the inner member E is in contact with the outer member 13.

In'order to utilize the pressure generated in the fluid locked between the members to hold the inner clutch member E in position, the pressure in the annular chamber is caused to take effect upon the back of the inner member. For this purpose the casing B is completely filled with liquid and a conduit may be led from the annular chamber to the space inthe casing B behind the inner member E. [in the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 no separate conduit is shown, and such separate conduit is not always essential, as when the.clutch commences to drive the leakage between the inner member and the outer member B is suflieient to enable the pressure in the annular chamber to be communicated to the space behlnd the) As the outer casing, IS completely filled with oil and as the area of pressure on the back of the inner member is greater thah the area of pressure on the other side, the two members are pressed together, whereby an efiicient engagement of the clutch is insured. By this means liquid-tight joints are obtained and in some cases it may be that effective frictional engagement of the clutch also results. The operation of the clutch is as follows: WVhen running free, the inner member E is entirely clear of the outer member B and the vanes F and projection B make no oil-tight joints, but rotate freely relatively to one another. W henthe inner member E is all lowed to conic into contact with the outer member B. the valve H may still be kept open; but when the valve H is closed pressure is immediately set up in the annular chamber between the projection B and the when they are vane F, to which it is up )roaching, and this pressure is communiceter to the back of the inner clutch member, whereby an effective engagement of the clutch is, insured. To relieve the clutch or to allow it to slip, the valve ll may be opened.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the drivingshaft A carries an outer casing and fly-wheel A to which is attached one clutch member The casm embraces the drix'cn shaft C, a stuffing-box %)'being provided between the casing and the driven shaft to allow rotation, while retaining within the casing the lit uid, such as oil, with which it is completely filled.

Mounted on the driven shaft C within the casing A is an inner sliding member E, which may be moved into or out of contact with the outer member by any suitable device, such the usual clutchor steps B and annular chamber edal. By means of flanges on the members a. closed 1s formed between them engaged.

()n one member-in this. ease the inner memberis a fixed rejection E which forms a partition in t e annular chamber. In this form the rejection E has a number of slots E whic cooperate with a slotted sliding plate K to form a valve which is used to vary the leakage of fluid in the annular chamber and to allow the clutch to slip. The plate K is pivotally connected to one end of a. lever K, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the head of a stud (f secured to the driven shaft C by a flange (1 Springs hare laced on the studs (1 between the heads and the inner member I), the arran ement being such that when the driven sha t (J is shifted to release the clutch the plate K is caused to open the valve before the inner member E is moved away from the other member B, while when the driven shaft C is shifted to appl the clutch the plate K caused to close t e valve after the. inner member is brought into contact with the other member.

The form of the vanes F and the cam G is the same as in the construction previously described; but in this construction the vanes and'the cam do not move with the sliding member.

As before, when the clutch is applied and the plate K is shifted to close the valve the pressure generated in the annular chamber is communicated to the back of the inner member, and as the area over which the pressure takes effect on the back of the inner member A lip 1s greater than that over which it takes effeet on the other side of the inner member an efficient engagement of the clutch is insured. To allow the clutch to slip or to release it, the driven shaft 0 is shifted to open the valve.

Referring to. Figs. 6 and 7, the arrangeent of the clutch members is the same as t at shown in Fig. 4, but the disposition of the valve is different. A fixed projection E state;

is formed on the clutch member E, and a hole E is formed in the member E to connect the annular chamber with the space in the casing behind the sliding member E In arranging the conduit between the annular chamber and the space in the casing behind the sliding member it is necessary to insure that the conduit leave the chamber at a oint at which there will constantly be a liigh rcssure when driving. In the con structlon illustrated in F igs. 6 and 7 the hole E leads from the annular chamber'at that side of the projection E at which pressure takes place.

Instead of arranging a valve in the fixed projection the valve M in this casc is disposed in the wall of the sliding member E at the o iositc side of the fixed projection E from the hole E The casing is, as before, completely filled with oil, and when the valev M is opened the liquid leaks out of the chamber through the hole E on the one side of the projection E and is admitted to the annular chamber on the other side of the projection through the adjustable valve Mi The 0 )eration of the valve M is in other respects identical with that of the valve K, as shown in Fig. 4 and described above.

Referring to Figs. 8, t), and it), the driving shaft (1 carries an outer clutch member I) in the form of a casing which conveniently forms the fly-wheel. The casing embraces the driven shaft, and a stullingv box d is rovided between the casing l) and the driven shall 0 to allow 1'0tfli-il)l1,\\'llll0 retaining within the casing the liquid, such as oil, with which itis to be completely filled.

Loosely mounted on the driven shaft 0 within the outer member I) is an inner sliding member (a, which may be moved into or out of contact with the outer member I) by any suitable device, such as the usual clutch pedal By means of flanges or steps b on the outer member and flanges or steps e on the inner member a closed annular chamber is formed between the members when they are engaged. On the outer member 5 is a fixed projection b which forms a partition in the annular chamber, The inner member 6 is provided with tworadial vanes f, which when driving cooperate with the fixed projection b {to lock the liquid in the ,annular chamber.

lr' order that during relative motion of the clutch members the sliding vanes may be momentarily withdrawn to clear the'fixed projection b", the vanes are controlled by a cam g, aprojection g on one side mounted on the casing b, and a spindlef on each vane terininating in a hook carrying a rollerf, which engages the cam g at a point diametrically opposite to the correspondingtvanefi so that as the cam rotates it withdraws the vanef from the annular chamber so as to clear the fixed projection 5 Springs f exert an outward pull on the vanes.

In order to remove the vanes f permanently from the annular chamber to a greater or less extent, (when it is desired to vary the leakage of fluid in the annular chamber and to allow the clutch to slip,) a device is employed operated by the sliding shaft c and acting directly on the vanes. In the arran ement shown a bclleranl lever ft, pivote to the clutch member c, is arranged to engage at one end with a projection f 4 on one vane, and a projection c on the sliding shaft 0 is arran ed to engage the other end of the bell-crank lever whcn the sliding shaft is moved outward. As shown, one of these bell-crank levers may be employed for each vane, so that the vanes may be held out of the annular chamber to any drsircd extent.

As the projection c is moved upward it engages the bell-crank lever and pulls the corresponding vane out of the annular chamber. As the projection is moved inward it releases the bell-crank lever and the vane is then free.

In order that the sliding shaft may operate on the vanes, as drscribed, during one portion of its travel and may operate during the remainder of its travel to shift the inner member of the clutch bodily into or out of position, springs are interposed bctwren a flange 0 or the like on the sliding shaft 0 and some portion of the inner member of the clutchin the example illustrated in the pockets e 'lhe sliding shaft has a flange c on its inner end arrangc-id tocngage the inm'r clutch mcmbcr c, so that the sliding shaft has a certain amount of play, during which the vanes can be operated by the bcllcrank lcvers before the llangc c on the sliding shaft engages the inner member of the clutch. By this arrangement when the clutch is engagrd and the sliding shaft r is moved so as to disengage the clutch the vanes will lirst be removed from the annular chamber by the bell-crank levers, so as to allow the clutch to slip, and thereafter the innr member of the clutch will be shifted out of contact with the outer member. \lfhcn the clutch is allowed to come into engngcmcnt again, the inner member will come into contact with th outer member before the vanes rcenti r the annular chamber. and the vnncs may be operated without shifting th inner member by moving the sliding shaft within the limits of its play.

In order that the pr ssure generated in the fluid locked between the members may be utilized to hold the inner clutch member in position, the inner clutch member may eonsist of a disk or plate a, with the necccssarv projections thereon, and a conduit or port I) may be led from the annular chamber to the back of the inner clutch member.

4: sesririe The Klein-ts (Z in whirl: the i n'im i ar 1 illillliwi'rl the projection 011 ii nine ill the nth i! int {lil i (meriiteii upon by iL hinge in pririwtimi v'lll the sliding sl1nl'i.sn as tn mine tln rum u! n tapered eiu'n may be mounts Ii on th: s!

slnil't. sit as in clet rniinrthe pnsiiinn (ii the rain s. This ram may filllvl'h'lt T tly hike llli fnrm iiiserihe-il in the sperilirzitinn :tnii iilm: ttrntril in l igs. i, t, and ol' the alumni; n the previnus United States lnt: n! l\ ll. 795L102 it is in be nnilerstnud that the details et cnnstriietinn ma be \Rl'itll witlmut depart ing; from this inventinn tn srrnre by liel t ns Patent, l. in n iiyilriiuhe ehiteh the (UllllJlIlillluil of at (using llllitl with liquid 21ml forming Hill f eluteh member another member in the in ing iinii inrming therewith am annular rlnnn her when the members are engaged, prujew tions on ihe members fitting into and lllVltiin the ehnmber and means l'ur n latirel v moving the members axially intro mid nut nl" engagement.

in a lrvtlrsulie elnteh the eumbinstxion of a casing tilled with liquid :inil forming one clutch member, nnUther niemht r in the ens ing and Forming therewith an annular ('llfllir her when the members are engiged, prnjiwtions on the members fitting intn and (livid ing the ehaniher, means for relatively moring the members axially into and out of t ngagement and means to cause the pressurein the chamber to press the members into engagement.

3. In a hydraulic clutch the enmbinetion of a casing lillefi with liquid and forming, one clutch memberanother member in the eas ing and forming therewith an annular elnmiber when the members are engaged, projections on the members fitting into and (il\'lll ing the chamber, means for relatively mm ing the members axially into and out of engagement and a conduit from the chamber into the casing to reuse the pressure in the liquid between the members in press the members into imgagemeni.

4. In a lykii'fililiif' eluteh the Bii'illiflliirltlli 01 & easing filled with liqnizi and farming 2L driving clutch member, a driven elnteh mem bet in the casing and forming with the driving member an annular irlnunher when the l l l l imam-is lb rl the n. nilwr Hit-git mni' illli i ing' lltt'llll i' t-in iill tlrli' L li'ltii l when the Hi .i rai in; lllt limit lllUil lltlm ll H m ll) f lm i writ: l l lllli mining Pb n elm eh mew-- i twining with Ilie iliiv- 'ir elrriniber when the iieii'iliirs ma i'l xiii n; "It i-"IO 'ill i!1l)('i'- h lium .iirli lill llltiltl l nnrr he hieheii t'a k iill l rnni ilh timiillvfll lllll the (using it e ive lltt n re iii he liquid be tween the int tubers En r the members intIn e i iigje neiir :i rel ve l'nr lit ll lll' il l if iii regnhiteu hail; ul' liign' in the annular eliinir her ltlltl menus for shitting the \ihlhi and for running the members intn Alhl amt 4): engngellltlll when? the wire is innell hei' ire the elnteli neiiiseiigiigg rwi itizil 1 i ii siter the elutrh is engaged.

T. in n, hyilmiilir rintrh the minbinzitinn mi :1 driving llii i :i rusiii flier-run tilleii with oil, lrivw sluit'i pro}, illii: int-J the easing and mm able trxiiillr therein, :1 driving; elutrh member or: i tl, ilriren elnteh meniq'iireri s mil in the easing and l mit lie: llllii llir rril lllt'ilil): :ixiiili m ting, I

me menilrin' m h r (ll! the hirming with the driving ehiteh member an annular elmmber when the men'ibers .;;-e engngeil, rejij'eiimis 0n the members between Whieh t 9 oil may be locker], means for autoninth-ally displacing eel'ta-in of the projecinto the casing to cause the pressure in the oil, a driven shaft projecting into the casing and movable axially therein, a driving clutch removed therefrom,

the rollers and arranged to withdraw the vanes to clear the fixe 829,049 3 driven member into and out of engagement with the driving member.

12. In a hydraulic clutch the combination beloched, means for automatically displacin certain of the pro'ections to clear one anifting the driven memot er andmeans for 5 her into and out of engagement with the driving member.

9. In a hydraulic clutch the combination of a driving-s aft, a casing thereon filled with oil,'a driven shaft ro'ecting into the casin and movable axial y therein, a conical driving clutch member on the casing, a conical 'rlven clutch member on the driven shaft in t e casing and forming with the driving clutch member a conical annular chamber whenthe members are enga ed, projections on the member between which the oil may be locked, means for automaticall displacing certain of the projections to c-ear one anot er, a conduit in the annular chamber her on the incasing, a driven shaft lpro'ecting creasing and movable axial y t eiein, an outer conical clutch memb mounted on the driven shaft inner member, when engaged, a conpro ection on divid g driven shaft en aging e annular chamber into t e casing at the pressure sideof the fixed rejection, an adjustable valve to control tl ie leak of 'oilinto the chamber on the, other side of the projection and shifting the driven member into and out of engagement with the driv' member.

4 13. In a hydraulic clutch the combination of a driving-shat oil, a conical inner clutc side of the casing, a driven shaft ro'ecting into the casing and movable axiall y therein, member loosely liquid, between the members to press the members into engagement, and means for ydraulic clutch the combination of a driving-shaft, a casing thereonfilled with member on the casm a driven clutc her on the driven s aft in the casing and formingwith the driving clutch member an annular chamber when the members are engaged, a fixed p ting into and dlvi in ity of sliding radial vanes carried the other'clutch member and normally projecting into and dividing the chamber, means for automatically displacing the vanes to clear the fixed projection, means for: displacing the vanes at will to allow relative rotation of the members, and means for shifting the driven member into and out of engagement with the driving member.

11. In a hydraulic clutch the combination of a driving-shaft, a casing thereon filled with oil, a conical inner clutch member on the inside of the casing, a driven shaft ro'ecting into the casing and movable axial y t an outer conical clutc mounted on the driven shaft and forming with the inner member wh ical annular chamber, a fixed pro ection on the outer chamber member on the inin to th aft whereby the valve is opened before the clutch is disengaged and closed after the In testimony wlicr eof I have signed my name to this specification In presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE SPARKS.

rollers attached to the vanes, a cam on the riven shaft engaging projection during rotatlon, a conduit from the annular chamber Witnesses: U into the casing at the pressure side of the H. D. JAMESON, fixedl'projection, and means for shifting the A. N UTTING.

t, a casing thereon filled with 

